I was wondering what effect the prolonged spell of very cold weather (forecast to continue well into April) is having on our birds. How does it affect nesting behaviour - eg how much do Blue Tits rely on the oak caterpillar as a food source which will be well delayed; are all birds nesting as usual or do th...
It seems not many people use notebooks anymore, but for those that do.... I've used loads of notebooks over the years, with the old policemans notebook being the one I come back to frequently. But, I've recently discovered the Filofax Flex. It sounds a bit strange, but ive found the pocket size (admit...
10 minute footage of a female Goosander we have breeding this year at a private site in a plastic barrel. Amazingly this is nowhere near any body of water. The picture quality isn't great and there are some problems with black bars going across the screen, but there's nothing we can do about that. [url=...
Have just purchased a new scope so my old one is now not needed, a Celestron 80mm with 20-60x zoom eye piece not to bad a scope at the lower zoom levels would make a reasonable starter scope for some one new to birding or a 1st scope for a youngster. Its in good condition with case and just over 12 mounths old I...
This certainly appears to be genuine; if so, its a sad, sad day... Natural England issue licences to destroy Buzzard nest and eggs to protect Pheasant shoot.
May 8th to 19th Stayed on Gozo, a small Maltese Island. Relaxing holiday with binoculars at hand, weather mild & windy. Just caught the tail end of the main migration season for the Maltese Islands. Our first visit for 10 years, after spending some time researching on the internet, half expected...
Only 4 weeks until the optimum date for the bird race and with the record set at 104 in 2011 I feel this year could be the year for it to fall. With so many winter migrants still around and the imminent arrival of spring visitors we could (hopefully) get a double hit. It could be a very interesting and as usua...
New Local Nature Reserve PLanned in Radcliffe Press Release 'Plans are being drawn up to turn land which belonged to the former Radcliffe Paper Mill into the boroughs newest Local Nature Reserve. The site is next to where Barratt Homes built the Woodland Chase estate, and gave Bury Council a sum of mo...
Dear all, There is a great way to raise funds for the RSPB and other wildlife charities. It is a search engine called everyclick which donates half of its earnings to chosen charities. It works just as well as google. Hyperlink below; you can save it as your homepage from this link. http://www.everycl...
A team from the Salford Quays Heritage & Nature Group is doing a Manchester Ship Canal Bird Race tomorrow, Friday 24th May, probably starting at Moore, any tips on sites/species along the Manchester Ship Canal - Greater Manchester and Cheshire - very much appreciated
Sorry if this has been asked before, but have an apparently injured collared dove in the garden. I can pick it up and can't see any obvious broken leg or wing or bite marks, so I don't quite know what to do. I could box it and take to a vet tomorrow I suppose but will the vet want paying? Any suggestions?
Pleasant run up to Llangollan today walk along the river which was very high and running fast 4 Dippers 1 Heron 1 Grey wagtail 1 Buzzard where the highlights
Though this short video by Bill Oddie is highly amusing, its purpose is considerably more important and its message depressingly enlightening. Please take a look and ensure you add your name to the petition. If this is the only weapon we've got then that minute it takes is all the more important. [url...
Hi, be gentle with me. I'm rather new to "Birding" as a concept; but as a Cumbrian migrant in Greater Manchester I was brought up with nature in all her magnificent ways. Now got time on my hands, and a new camera, so this may keep me off the streets. Nice to meet you all. Brian (near Rochdale)
Last week I switched on my NestCam for the first time this year and was pleased to find a Blue Tit using it to roost overnight. The bird normally comes in between 5 and 6pm each night (subject to light levels and weather) and leaves around 6:30am to 7:00am each morning. Overnight it fluff...
Just to say Hello :) I don't really know many people on here so this is me introducing myself :) Im a bird lover firstly, I also often have my camera in tow. Off to Norfolk tomorrow for the first time, can't wait. Usually though Im around the Wigan / Merseyside areas. I popped into Pennington Flash the othe...
Hi am selling my camera bag because I am selling my Canon 500mm f4 lens, The bag has only been used a few times like new. The Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW II safely carries a big lens with camera body as well as a professional tripod. It is fully adjustable, has a built-in harness and includes a padded back pa...
Hello, I work for a local charity, the Captive Animals' Protection Society. We are running a Sponsored Walk & Bird Watching event at Etherow Country Park on 1st June between 11am and 3.00pm. We are in desperate need of a bird guide, to help lead the group around the park and identify bird species th...
I have become interested in bird photography over the last few months and have been achieving some reasonable results However, i now wish to take it to the next level (which is going to cost me!!) and would be grateful for first-hand advice from serious amateur/professional bird photographers on th...
Ian Campbell wrote: Also signed but I don't hold out much hope of success if the poor response to a similer e-petition regarding protection for our birds of prey is anything to go by. Cheers Ian Birders are generally getting more and more selfish and that's a fact! So wrapped up in our websi...
Used to love going birdwatching with my Dad when i was younger,Martin mere was always a favourite plus a cliff side where Peregrine falcon family was(any idea's?) I mentioned it to my oldest who is 8 and she was well up for it, i dont own a car so was looking for some places to take her?
Hi, I've just bought a nikon ED50 for taking with me on walks and on holiday as I'm sick of lugging the swarovski 80 round. Could anyone recommend a good lightweight tripod to complement the little scope. Idealy not costing the earth. Regards Oli
A couple of mates and I are off on a Polish adventure in June, and just I wondered if anybody on here had been to the Bialowieza region? I have searched the site and could only find NW Poland and the Auschwitz region. Any advice, even on travelling in Poland, would be greatly appreciated. I have researche...
Friends of Prestwich Forest Park is holding a bio-blitz at Philips Park LNR over the weekend of 18th & 19th May. They are looking for some 'experts' to help out on the bird element of the event which would involve leading small groups or even just wandering round on your own noting the species you see. If...
Collard Flycatcher in Low Newton yesterday showing incredibly well from the gauze bushes near the old tin church, also got some super Eider at Amble Marina and Garganey at Druridge Pool Wildlife Trust place. Awesome day out see more here http://austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk/
In my Birding learning curve thus far, the Grasshopper Warbler is eluding me. Out jogging in the Lilford area this morning, a sound suddenly impinged upon my thoughts: brrrrrrrrrzzzzz.............. That's it, I thought! Then I saw the tractor in the next field but one.
Hi all - I have a venerable Nickel drawtube scope in leather case...any offers? If the person who gave it to me way back in my Mersey Valley days wants it back, they can of course have it - but I have been racking my brain trying to remember their name! Mike S
Slightly off topic I know (but no more so than 'Jupiter and its Moons'), does anyone have any advice or tips on photographing bats? I have a couple that fly quite low over my garden most spring and summer evenings around twilight so I thought I'd have a go at getting a photo with flash. Would using flash ha...
. Cheers Ian Birders are generally getting more and more selfish and that's a fact! So wrapped up in our websi...